We have another absolutely gorgeous day. A little soft weather late morning until just after noon. It didn’t discourage my walk in the woods. It’s so special, wandering around different paths, huge trees shielding from both the beaming sun and the light drizzle so you’re walking in a quiet, magical world serenaded by birdsong.

A lot of downed trees, HUGE ones. Most fell in a big storm last January. One across my path makes a kind of gate, and I go through, round my way back where the gang’s having lunch at noon.

And while we sit, the rain gets serious for a few minutes, while the sun continues to shine. Then it’s done, and the sun wins.

Text and email with Laura who, brave soul, is renting a car at Knock Airport and driving herself to Ashford after visiting her Irish cousins. Meanwhile all but Logan and Savanna are walking down to the falconry school for a hawk walk. I hook up with Kat and Griffin, so we defeat zombies and other baddies on the way.

Keeping Ireland safe.

I ask what the Irish Tooth Fairy traded him for his tooth. Five Euros!!

On arrival, we split into two groups. Jason, Kat and Griffin with Tommy, Kayla, Colt, JR and me with Naimh (Neve) which happens to be the name of the female lead in my current wip. A fun coincidence for me.

She’s knowledgeable, entertaining and gives us a little tour while explaining about the Harris Hawks we’ll fly. We have Stoker, the male, and I’ve totally gone up on the name of his sister—the female’s the biggest and the dominant one.

In the warm, wonderful sunlight, JR and Colt will start it off. They don their gloves. The hawks are tethered  onto  their closed fists, and off we go.  We walk down to the wide path, Naimh untethers the hawks. And they take flight. What a glorious sight. The wide spread of wings, the grace in that soar from hand to branch as they skim the air.  The way they look high in the tree waiting for the signal to return to the glove.

  Then the guys hold out their arms, and both hawks swoop back—breathtaking—land, and get their treat. I believe it’s a bit of hamster, and try not to think too hard on that one.

Again and again as we walk, the hawks take flight and return.

Now it’s time for Kayla and me to wear the gloves. I’ve had this experience a few times now, and it never fails to thrill. Watching that beautiful bird swoop toward my extended arm, having it perch there, watching me as I watch it.

At one point, both birds land on Kayla’s arm, then Stoker hops over to mine. His sister rules.

In the woods we exchange gloves again. At one point they choose the same branch, and sister scolds brother as he perched higher on it than she did. We walk the path I’d taken that morning, with the hawks maneuvering fluidly through the trees. One lands briefly on Colt’s shoulder before hopping down to his fist.

Another exchange of gloves for the walk back, and several more flights in the woods, in the open. I’ve got Stoker now, and he flaps as we approach the school. He’s ready to sit and digest his meal.

The other team’s back, too, and I learn Griffin did indeed glove up and fly a hawk. If Mom could do it, so could he! And he’s educated Tommy along the way on all things Minecraft. Jason carried an actual camera and got some great shots. I think our gang did pretty well with our phones.

We’re introduced to the young, enormous gray owl, then  visit with Dingle—I know him from previous trips. This owl is twenty-six years old, and retired.

We see a couple of month old babies—so cute—and are allowed to gently stroke them. They’re in a room with strollers and a wheel chair—to get them used to wheels and scary things. Since they’re both resting in the wheel chair, I think the process works.

Full of our adventure, we walk back. I’ll do this again when I come back to Ireland. It’s not to be missed.

And Laura’s here, safe and sound. We have a glass of champagne in my room, catch up a bit. Dinner tonight’s in the Drawing Room so time to dress up a little bit. And I, who never nap, conk and then wake with about twenty minutes to spare to pull it all together.

Since I’m also never late, Jason comes to check on me. Five more minutes!!

We and another family have the Drawing Room to ourselves. Everyone looks so nice. Kat’s brought the honey as I’m making myself take two straight teaspoons a day—and Savanna’s outlined the process from her nana. Don’t just swallow, let it drip down the throat.

Blah!! Not a fan of honey to begin with, but I get through it. We have a piano player, and music means Griffin’s gotta dance. He’s also interested in the other family’s toddler—whom he refers to as baby—goes over to their table, and the toddler happily dances with him.

At one point, Griffin asks: What’s your name, baby?

Jason says Griffin has his pick-up line.

Then Griffin sits with me over dessert, and guides me through some games on a phone. I’m pleased I impressed him with my skills.

Then it’s bedtime.

I haven’t checked today’s forecast, but the view out my window looks promising. I think Laura and I—and anyone else interested—will walk down to Cong later for some shopping. I know JR and Colt—not sure who else—are taking the boat tour.

I don’t do boats. I’d love to, but motion sickness makes that a misery. Same with trains. Nothing stops it, and I’ve tried all the stuff. Logan’s right there with me.

 Tonight, Laura’s treating herself to A Fancy Dinner at the George V. The rest of us plan to eat less formally in Cong. There’s a rumor about live music I hope pans out.

Time to work out and get going.

Nora

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A note from Laura:

Yes, my sporty orange car and I safely navigated the roads down to Ashford.

I’m over at the Lodge (it’s still a vacation of sorts) while my husband went on to explore Dublin, then will fly to Ghent.

Still writing my own travelogue, though I’m taking my time. This was my Monday in Enniscrone.

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And a couple of Savanna’s photos of the day: